sorry not a AR question but do you think this mill would work for doing a alluminum 1911 and a few steel ones sometime down the road? the main thing looks to be cutting the frame rails.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47158

i just wanted to add these two url's:

[url]http://www.roderuscustom.tzo.com/[/url]

[url]http://www.tanneryshop.com/MESSAGEBOARD.html[/url]

Fixed the URL: [url]http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47158[/url]

It might, although you might run into hight/clearance problems.  Here's a few others to look at; [url]http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_mill/Versions/versions.htm[/url]  and [url]http://www.littlemachineshop.com/Info/minimill_compare.php[/url]
The grizzly at has been used to make both aluminum ARs and 1911s, and is what I'm looking at getting once I find space.

-FOTBR

the minimills (HF, Grizzly, and Homier) can all do the 1911's in aluminum and steel (take small cuts).  Check the Roderus Custom website...there's a wealth of info over there on this sort of thing.

roderous custom does have alot of great info, I thought I would just get a second opinion on what kind of mill I should use.

I am leaning towards the 300 harbor freight mini mill, just because of cost and space.

thanks

I'll second what they said and tell you to save the extra $200 and get the regular minimill, not the micro drill/mill.  

Why?  Not that I don't doubt your opinion, but what are the advantages, or more importantly, DISADVANTAGES to the micro mill?

-Gloftoe

ProfessorEvil
are you saying I should get the $300 model or fork out more money for a bigger one?

Someone should doubt my opinion. [:)]  I don't enough, at least.

In any case, the minimill has a lot going for it.  Lots of users, lots of net support, many modifications done for ya, and Roderus especially is centered around it for the first 3 projects he did.

Micro mill..well...it's small.  It looks like it's a drillpress with a x-y table.  It's not R8 on the spindle, which may or may not be an issue, but if you are ever going to trade up, r8 is the way to go.  It gives up weight vs. the Minimill, which is already a lightweight machine.  The table is more limited than the minimill, which is pretty compact as it is.  

The only "advantages" of the microdrill/mill are price and table space.  The Homier MiniMill is cheaper than the HF or Grizzly models, so check into that as well.  

1911greg, get the bigger one, basically.  BTW, send me an IM with the city you're in.

PE, thanks for the info [:)]  Is the Homier Speedway a decent mill?  I'm looking for something that can mill aluminum, steel, and function as a drill press (tabletop) as well.  The price is attractive too.

-Gloftoe

It's a good small mill.  The machinist types will tell you it sucks, save your money, buy a used bridgy, etc.  

However, if you are patient, need the compact size, or are just getting started in machining and don't want to jump in until you're sure about it, the minimill is a good idea.



It can do all of those things.  Be aware you'll be taking smaller passes.  the table size is a bit limiting but with some imagination most small to mid projects can be worked on it.